Course Details

Cost

FREE

Upcoming Schedule

On demand

Course Provider

MIT online courses

MIT OpenCourseWare makes the materials used in the teaching of almost all of
MIT's subjects available on the Web, free of charge. With more than 2,200
courses available, OCW is delivering on the promise of open sharing of
knowledge.

MIT OpenCourseWare makes the materials used in the teaching of almost all of
MIT's subjects available on the Web, free of charge. With more than 2,200
courses available, OCW is delivering on the promise of open sharing of
knowledge.

Course Description

Childhood is a source of fascination in most Western cultures. It is both a major inspiration for artistic creation and a political ideal, which aims at protecting future generations. Which role does it play in French society and in other francophone areas? Why is the French national anthem ("La Marseillaise") addressed to its "children"? This course will study the transformation of childhood since the 18th century and the development of sentimentality within the family. We will examine various representations of childhood in literature (e.g. Pagnol, Proust, Sarraute, Laye, Morgièvre), movies (e.g. Truffaut), and songs (e.g. Brel, Barbara). Course taught in French.